Being on the correct electricity tariff

SWAMP_MAN

My father in law is with Octopus Energy having previously been with IRESA and is on a dual tariff. His electricity tariff is Economy 7, however his night-time energy consumption is circa 13% of the total energy used, he is paying 44.17p (D), 16.613p (N), the standing charge is  44.217p.
His Octopus bill states that he's on the best tariff, given that the current price of a capped standard variable tariff is around £0.34 per kWh and using the annual consumption figures provided by them in December 2022 he would be around £100 per year better off were he to change.
My question is; are there rules in place from Ofgem stating that energy companies must advise a customer of any such savings?

pochase

Best tariff relates to fixed tariff and SVT, but not to single rate and E7.

It can be very hard to see if an E7 tariff is the better choice for somebody without completely analysing the usage,

Just as and example if you check in summer, the usage might be only 20% at night, but during winter with heating the same person will use 80% at night.

If you argue that your father in law has gas, we have here users who use gas only for cooking, but have electricity for heating.

So in short, no it is not the duty of the supplier to check if an E7 tariff makes sense for you.

MWT

SWAMP_MAN said:

My question is; are there rules in place from Ofgem stating that energy companies must advise a customer of any such savings?

No, and in fact the supplier is obliged to quote using the meter profile in place for each customer, so if he has an E7 meter profile they must quote for him based on the E7 version of the tariff he is on...

Easy to request a change though, one phone call to ask them to move him to a single-rate version of the tariff and he'll be sorted.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

so, suppose he uses 1000 units, 870 day/130night, and using your prices,

you don't say what standard daily s/c is but lowest will be cheapest.

Also, remember vat.

So, looks as though he would be better on standard, unless he can start using more on night rate washer/dryer/dishwasher.

Why is he on E7, did he used to have storage heating and now uses gas?

As already said above, as advised by Octopus, he is on the best E7 tariff that they can offer.

SWAMP_MAN

E7 was installed many years ago,way before companies started increasing the difference between the two rates. He doesn't have storage heaters. My energy supplier, Shell, has for some time been suggesting that I switched from E7 to a variable tariff, prior to their hike in January (see Martin Lewis comments on the subject) it was their approach to the subject that led to me putting the question on the forum.

EssexHebridean

In your Dad's case it definitely looks like a switch to single rate would be good for him - does he have a smart meter? If so this can be managed remotely I should imagine, and should be able to take effect very fast. If he's on an old style meter then it will require the supplier to agree to combine his two readings - I think Octopus are one who will do this though, from memory! 

SWAMP_MAN

EssexHebridean said:

In your Dad's case it definitely looks like a switch to single rate would be good for him - does he have a smart meter? If so this can be managed remotely I should imagine, and should be able to take effect very fast. If he's on an old style meter then it will require the supplier to agree to combine his two readings - I think Octopus are one who will do this though, from memory! 

Hi, he has a Landis & Gyr electronic meter which is not all that old and is reluctant to go for a smart meter, personally I agree with him as I think smart meters are the thin end of the wedge with the energy companies ultimately being able to dictate variable tariff charges as they seem fit too, but that's a discussion for another day.

MattMattMattUK

SWAMP_MAN said:

EssexHebridean said:

In your Dad's case it definitely looks like a switch to single rate would be good for him - does he have a smart meter? If so this can be managed remotely I should imagine, and should be able to take effect very fast. If he's on an old style meter then it will require the supplier to agree to combine his two readings - I think Octopus are one who will do this though, from memory! 

Hi, he has a Landis & Gyr electronic meter which is not all that old and is reluctant to go for a smart meter, personally I agree with him as I think smart meters are the thin end of the wedge with the energy companies ultimately being able to dictate variable tariff charges as they seem fit too, but that's a discussion for another day.

All that will happen when proper ToU tariffs come in is that those who refuse smart meters will be permanently charged the higher rate.

SWAMP_MAN

Following on from my original post I've been chatting with an ex work colleague who also happens to be with Octopus on Economy 7. He too uses very little energy at night and after doing the comparison over 1 year of energy consumption has calculated he would be better off were he to come off Economy 7, although his gas tariff would increase ! The irony of it is that his Octopus monthly bill tells him that he's on the cheapest tariff, I suppose it all boils down as to how you define "cheapest"

SWAMP_MAN

MattMattMattUK said:

SWAMP_MAN said:

EssexHebridean said:

In your Dad's case it definitely looks like a switch to single rate would be good for him - does he have a smart meter? If so this can be managed remotely I should imagine, and should be able to take effect very fast. If he's on an old style meter then it will require the supplier to agree to combine his two readings - I think Octopus are one who will do this though, from memory! 

Hi, he has a Landis & Gyr electronic meter which is not all that old and is reluctant to go for a smart meter, personally I agree with him as I think smart meters are the thin end of the wedge with the energy companies ultimately being able to dictate variable tariff charges as they seem fit too, but that's a discussion for another day.

All that will happen when proper ToU tariffs come in is that those who refuse smart meters will be permanently charged the higher rate.

Not very fair on those who are unable to have a smart meter installed, for example incoming supply too far away, existing installation not  suitable ( mounted on asbestos board)

EssexHebridean

SWAMP_MAN said:

MattMattMattUK said:

SWAMP_MAN said:

EssexHebridean said:

In your Dad's case it definitely looks like a switch to single rate would be good for him - does he have a smart meter? If so this can be managed remotely I should imagine, and should be able to take effect very fast. If he's on an old style meter then it will require the supplier to agree to combine his two readings - I think Octopus are one who will do this though, from memory! 

Hi, he has a Landis & Gyr electronic meter which is not all that old and is reluctant to go for a smart meter, personally I agree with him as I think smart meters are the thin end of the wedge with the energy companies ultimately being able to dictate variable tariff charges as they seem fit too, but that's a discussion for another day.

All that will happen when proper ToU tariffs come in is that those who refuse smart meters will be permanently charged the higher rate.

Not very fair on those who are unable to have a smart meter installed, for example incoming supply too far away, existing installation not  suitable ( mounted on asbestos board)

The asbestos boards can already be dealt with, and the other more technical aspects will undoubtedly also be overcome in time. They’ll need to be, realistically - as smart meters will be all that is on offer in due course. 

The alternative in the shorter term is likely to be something akin to the water “assessed charge” would be my suspicion - IMO this will be for those genuinely cannot have a smart meter fitted though, not for those who just refuse.